Canopy for lightweight vehicle

ABSTRACT

A golf car canopy extension panel that is connectable to a canopy main panel, wherein the extension panel comprises a first extension longitudinal water channel that is fluidly connectable to a first main longitudinal water channel main panel, and a second extension longitudinal water channel that is fluidly connectable to a second main longitudinal water channel of the main panel, wherein the first and second extension longitudinal water channels each comprise a termination end structured and operable to direct water to exit the respective extension longitudinal water channel at an end of a sidewall of the respective extension longitudinal water channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/182,610 filed on Feb. 23, 2021. The disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present teachings relate to lightweight vehicle canopies and moreparticularly to various features and supports structures thereof.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Commonly, golf cars and other lightweight vehicles such as maintenancevehicles, cargo vehicles, shuttle/service vehicles, etc. have a standardlength canopy (e.g., 50 to 58 inches in length) that covers thepassenger compartment leaving vehicle structure located rearward of thepassenger compartment uncovered. In various instances it is desirable tohave a longer canopy that, in addition to covering the passengercompartment, will also cover the vehicle structure rearward of the mainpassenger seating structure that is structured and operable to provideseating for the vehicle operator and a passenger. For example, invarious instances it is desirable to have a longer canopy that willcover a second row passenger seating structure (e.g., a rearward facingseating structure), a golf bag well (and golf bags disposed therein), atleast a portion of a cargo bed, etc. For example, golf cars are oftenrepurposed for use in consumer applications as lightweight personaltransportation vehicles, wherein the vehicles are modified by addingrear seats to accommodate additional passengers. In such instances, theold existing (standard length) canopy and corresponding support strutsare removed and discarded and replaced with a new longer increasedlength canopy (e.g., 76 to 84 inches, or longer, in length) that issupported by new and additional struts that must be mounted to thevehicle body and/or framework.

However, in many instances such increased length canopies aresignificantly more expensive and of lesser quality than the standardcanopies. Lesser quality in this case is characterized by the lack ofstrength, propensity to deform and warp, and lack of consistentmanufacturing tolerances that make it difficult to achieve desired fit,finish, and durability.

Additionally, many known canopies have poor water management performancein rainy conditions. Most know canopies have a rounded shape and lackadequate water drains resulting in water dripping onto occupants inseated in the passenger compartment.

Furthermore, strut mounted accessories such as mirrors, speakers,windshields and other types of accessories for such vehicles are oftendifficult to install and mount to the canopy struts often have poor fitand finish. For example, in many instances drilling holes in the canopystruts is often required, electrical wiring is exposed, and the qualityof fastening is poor such that the accessory rattles, moves and/or doesnot stay in place.

Still further, often it is desirable to equip such vehicles with apassenger compartment enclosure to provide the passenger compartmentwith protection from environmental elements such as rain, snow, wind,etc. such enclosures are typically soft enclosures made from a flexiblematerial such as canvas, plastic, cloth, etch. However, often such softenclosures have a poor fit and finish and difficult and time consumingto install.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides vehicle canopy system that addresses theabove mentioned shortcomings of the known vehicle canopies.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a golf carcanopy extension panel that is connectable to a canopy main panel,wherein the extension panel comprises a first extension longitudinalwater channel extending along a first longitudinal edge portion of thecanopy extension panel and fluidly connectable to a first mainlongitudinal water channel main panel. The first extension longitudinalwater channel comprises a termination end that is structured andoperable to direct water to exit the first extension longitudinal waterchannel at a distal end of a sidewall of the first extensionlongitudinal water channel. The extension panel additionally comprises asecond extension longitudinal water channel extending along a secondlongitudinal edge portion of the canopy extension panel and fluidlyconnectable to a second main longitudinal water channel of the mainpanel. The second extension longitudinal water channel comprises atermination end that is structured and operable to direct water to exitthe second extension longitudinal water channel at a distal end of asidewall of the second extension longitudinal water channel.

In various other embodiments, the present disclosure provides a canopysystem for a lightweight vehicle, wherein the canopy system comprises amain panel mountable to a front canopy strut and at least one rearwardcanopy strut of the vehicle. The main panel comprises a first mainlongitudinal water channel extending along a first longitudinal edgeportion of the canopy main panel, and a second main longitudinal waterchannel extending along a second longitudinal edge portion of the canopymain panel. The canopy system additionally comprises an extension panelconnectable to the main panel, wherein the extension panel comprises afirst extension longitudinal water channel extending along a firstlongitudinal edge portion of the canopy extension panel and fluidlyconnectable to a first main longitudinal water channel main panel. Thefirst extension longitudinal water channel comprises a termination endthat is structured and operable to direct water to exit the firstextension longitudinal water channel at a distal end of a sidewall ofthe first extension longitudinal water channel. The extension paneladditionally comprises a second extension longitudinal water channelextending along a second longitudinal edge portion of the canopyextension panel and fluidly connectable to a second main longitudinalwater channel of the main panel. The second extension longitudinal waterchannel comprises a termination end that is structured and operable todirect water to exit the second extension longitudinal water channel ata distal end of a sidewall of the second extension longitudinal waterchannel.

In yet other various embodiments, the present disclosure provides alightweight vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a chassis, a bodymounted to the chassis, a passenger compartment supported by thechassis, a plurality of canopy support struts mounted to the body, and acanopy system mountable to the canopy support struts above at least thepassenger compartment. In various instances the canopy system comprisesa main panel mountable to a front canopy strut and at least one rearwardcanopy strut of the vehicle. The main panel comprises a first mainlongitudinal water channel extending along a first longitudinal edgeportion of the canopy main panel, and a second main longitudinal waterchannel extending along a second longitudinal edge portion of the canopymain panel. The canopy system additionally comprises an extension panelconnectable to the main panel, wherein the extension panel comprises afirst extension longitudinal water channel extending along a firstlongitudinal edge portion of the canopy extension panel and fluidlyconnectable to a first main longitudinal water channel main panel. Thefirst extension longitudinal water channel comprises a termination endthat is structured and operable to direct water to exit the firstextension longitudinal water channel at a distal end of a sidewall ofthe first extension longitudinal water channel. The extension paneladditionally comprises a second extension longitudinal water channelextending along a second longitudinal edge portion of the canopyextension panel and fluidly connectable to a second main longitudinalwater channel of the main panel. The second extension longitudinal waterchannel comprises a termination end that is structured and operable todirect water to exit the second extension longitudinal water channel ata distal end of a sidewall of the second extension longitudinal waterchannel.

While the present disclosure is primarily directed generically tolightweight vehicles, it should be understood that the canopy systemdisclosed herein can have application to all types of lightweightvehicles that are not designated for use on roadways, e.g., golf cars,maintenance vehicles, cargo vehicles, shuttle vehicles, worksitevehicles, etc.

This summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing variousexample embodiments of the present disclosure so as to provide a basicunderstanding of various aspects of the teachings herein. Variousembodiments, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of the described embodiments. Accordingly, it should beunderstood that the description and specific examples set forth hereinare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present teachings.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a low speed utility vehicle, exemplarilyillustrated as passenger transport, comprising a water channel anddownspout canopy system in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a low speed utility vehicle, exemplarilyillustrated as a cargo vehicle, comprising the water channel anddownspout canopy system shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a low speed utility vehicle, exemplarilyillustrated as a golf car, comprising the water channel and downspoutcanopy system shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with various embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the water channel and downspout canopysystem shown if FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 , in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a portion of the water channel anddownspout canopy system shown if FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 , in accordancewith various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a main panel of the water channel and downspoutcanopy system shown if FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 , in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a low speed utility vehicle, exemplarilyillustrated as passenger transport, comprising the water channel anddownspout canopy system shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 including anextension panel, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the extension panel of the water channeland downspout canopy system shown in FIG. 7 , in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a top of a canopy of the canopy water channel and downspoutshown in FIGS. 1-7 including the main panel and the extension panelconnected thereto, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the canopy of the canopy water channeland downspout shown in FIGS. 1-9 including the main panel and theextension panel connected thereto, in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is an exploded isometric view of the water channel and downspoutcanopy system shown in FIGS. 1 through 10 including an enclosureassembly, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the water channel and downspout canopysystem including an enclosure assembly shown in FIG. 11 , in accordancewith various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12A is an illustration of lateral cross-section of eachlongitudinal water channel of the water channel and downspout canopysystem shown in shown in FIGS. 1-12 having an enclosure mounting rail ofthe enclosure assembly disposed and/or mounted therein, and exemplarilyillustrating how a lateral cross-sectional shape or profile of themounting rail is substantially the same as the lateral cross-sectionalshape or profile of the longitudinal water channels, in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present disclosure

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a front canopydownspout-strut and or a rear strut of the water channel and downspoutcanopy system shown in FIGS. 1 through 12 comprising a dovetailaccessory attachment channel, in accordance with various embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is an isometric cross-sectional view of the portion of the frontcanopy downspout-strut and/or rear strut of the water channel anddownspout canopy system shown in FIGS. 1 through 12 comprising thedovetail accessory attachment channel, in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a top view of a section of the portion of the front canopydownspout-strut and/or rear strut of the water channel and downspoutcanopy system shown in FIGS. 1 through 12 comprising the dovetailaccessory attachment channel with a chamfered edge pinch nut disposedwithin the dovetail accessory attachment channel, in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is an view of the chamfered edge pinch nut disposed shown inFIG. 15 , in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the chamfered edge pinch nut disposed shown inFIGS. 15 and 16 , in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a section of the portion of the frontcanopy downspout-strut and/or rear strut with an accessory attachedthereto utilizing the chamfered edge pinch nut, in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the front canopydownspout-strut and/or rear strut of the water channel and downspoutcanopy system shown in FIGS. 1 through 18 illustrating an off-centerwire duct and a bolt stop, in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no wayintended to limit the present teachings, application, or uses.Throughout this specification, like reference numerals will be used torefer to like elements. Additionally, the embodiments disclosed beloware not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather,the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in theart can utilize their teachings. As well, it should be understood thatthe drawings are intended to illustrate and plainly disclose presentlyenvisioned embodiments to one of skill in the art but are not intendedto be manufacturing level drawings or renditions of final products andmay include simplified conceptual views to facilitate understanding orexplanation. As well, the relative size and arrangement of thecomponents may differ from that shown and still operate within thespirit of the invention.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving asan example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation describedherein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Allof the implementations described below are exemplary implementationsprovided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosureand are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this disclosure belongs. The terminology used herein isfor the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and isnot intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”,“an”, and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well,unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises”,“comprising”, “including”, and “having” are inclusive and thereforespecify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps,processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed asnecessarily requiring their performance in the particular orderdiscussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order ofperformance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternativesteps can be employed.

When an element, object, device, apparatus, component, region orsection, etc., is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to or with”,“connected to or with”, or “coupled to or with” another element, object,device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc., it can bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to or with the other element,object, device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc., orintervening elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, regionsor sections, etc., can be present. In contrast, when an element, object,device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc., is referred to asbeing “directly on”, “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to”, or“directly coupled to” another element, object, device, apparatus,component, region or section, etc., there may be no interveningelements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, regions orsections, etc., present. Other words used to describe the relationshipbetween elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, regions orsections, etc., should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between”versus “directly between”, “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent”, etc.).

As used herein the phrase “operably connected to” will be understood tomean two are more elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components,etc., that are directly or indirectly connected to each other in anoperational and/or cooperative manner such that operation or function ofat least one of the elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components,etc., imparts are causes operation or function of at least one other ofthe elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, etc. Suchimparting or causing of operation or function can be unilateral orbilateral.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. For example, A and/or Bincludes A alone, or B alone, or both A and B.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein todescribe various elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components,regions or sections, etc., these elements, objects, devices,apparatuses, components, regions or sections, etc., should not belimited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish oneelement, object, device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc.,from another element, object, device, apparatus, component, region orsection, etc., and do not necessarily imply a sequence or order unlessclearly indicated by the context.

Moreover, it will be understood that various directions such as “upper”,“lower”, “bottom”, “top”, “left”, “right”, “first”, “second” and soforth are made only with respect to explanation in conjunction with thedrawings, and that components may be oriented differently, for instance,during transportation and manufacturing as well as operation. Becausemany varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope ofthe concept(s) taught herein, and because many modifications may be madein the embodiments described herein, it is to be understood that thedetails herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and non-limiting.

As used herein, the word “forward” and the phrase “forward of” are usedto describe the direction from a named component or structure toward thefront of the disclosed vehicle. Similarly, as used herein, the word“rearward” and the phrase “rearward of” are used to describe thedirection from a named component or structure toward the rear of thedisclosed vehicle.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 , in various embodiments, the presentdisclosure provides a lightweight vehicle 10 (e.g., a golf car) thatgenerally includes a chassis or frame 14, a body 16 mounted to thechassis 14, a pair of rear wheels 18 and a pair of front wheels 22operationally connected to the chassis 14, and a passenger compartment26 defined by the body 16 and supported by the chassis 14. As usedherein, the word “wheel(s)” will be understood to mean the structureconsisting of the respective tire mounted on the respective wheel, alsoknown as the rim or hub, particularly, the compilation of the tire andwheel/rim/hub. The passenger compartment 26 generally includes a dashconsole 30, a floorboard 34, and a main passenger seating structure 38structured and operable to provide seating for one or more golf caroccupants, e.g., a driver and one or more passengers. The dash console30 can include one or more instrument displays, gauges, vehicle controldevices and/or storage compartments. For example, in various instancesthe dash console 30 can include one or more of a vehicle On/Off keyswitch for controlling the operation mode of the vehicle 10, aforward/neutral/reverse selector, one or more small accessory storagepockets, one or more telemetry gauges/readouts (e.g., a speedometer,tachometer, temperature gauge, etc.) an electronic display (e.g., an LCDdisplay that can have touch capabilities), a radio, and/or various othervehicle controls. The floorboard 34 is structured and operable toenclose a bottom of, and provide a floor for, the passenger compartment26. The passenger compartment 26 additionally includes a steering wheel42 for use by the operator to control the directional movement of thevehicle 10, a brake pedal 46 for use by the operator to control slowingand stopping of the vehicle 10, and an accelerator pedal 50 for use bythe operator to control the torque delivered by a prime mover(s) 54 toone or more of the rear and/or front wheels 18 and/or 22.

As described above, the vehicle 10 includes a prime mover 54 operativelyconnected to a drivetrain 58 that is operatively connected to at leastone of the rear and/or front wheels 18 and/or 22 (via a rear axleassembly not shown, but readily understood by one skilled in the art).The prime mover 54 can be any device that is structured and operable togenerate torque (e.g., motive force, e.g., power) utilized to providemotive force for the vehicle 10 via the drivetrain 58. For example, theprime mover 54 can be an internal combustion engine (ICE), an electricmotor, a hybrid combination of an ICE and an electric motor, or anyother suitable motive power source and remain within the scope of thepresent disclosure. Although the drivetrain 58 of the present disclosurewill, by way of example, will be shown and described herein asstructured and operable to deliver motive force to the rear wheel(s) 18(via the rear axle assembly not shown, but readily understood by oneskilled in the art), it should be understood that, in variousembodiments, the drivetrain 58 of the present disclosure can bestructured and operable to deliver motive force to the front wheel(s) 22(via a front axle assembly not shown, but readily understood by oneskilled in the art), and remain within the scope of the presentdisclosure. In yet other embodiments, it is envisioned that drivetrain58, as described herein can be implemented in a four-wheel drive vehicleoperable to deliver motive force (i.e., power/torque) generated by theprime mover 54 to one or more of the front wheel(s) 22 and/or rearwheel(s) 18.

In various embodiment, the vehicle 10 can additionally include anauxiliary passenger seating structure 60 disposed rearward of the mainpassenger seating structure 38 and the passenger compartment 26 (FIG. 1). In various instances the auxiliary passenger seating structure 60 canbe a convertible to cargo deck (FIG. 2 ). In various other embodiments,wherein the vehicle 10 is a golf car, the golf car 10 can include a bagwell 66 disposed rearward of the main passenger seating structure 38 andthe passenger compartment 26 (FIG. 3 ).

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 , the vehicle 10 furtherincludes a water channel and downspout canopy system 62 mounted to thevehicle body 16 and/or chassis 14 and disposed over and around thepassenger compartment 26. The canopy system 62 is structured andoperable to protect passengers of the vehicle 10 from rain, water andsun, and to channel or direct water or rain or other liquid away fromthe passenger as described below. In various embodiments the canopysystem 65 comprises a hollow front canopy downspout-strut 70 that ismountable to a front cowl 74 and/or the chassis 14 and/or other forwardstructure of the vehicle 10, at least one rear canopy strut 78 that ismountable to a rear deck and/or chassis 14 and/or other rearwardstructure of the vehicle 10 (e.g., the passenger seating structure, agolf bag retention brace, etc.), and a canopy 82 mountable to the frontdownspout-strut 70 and the rear strut(s) 78. More particularly, invarious embodiments, the hollow front canopy downspout-strut 70comprises a header 70A, a first downspout leg 70B extending from,connected to and/or integrally formed with a first end of the header70A, and a second downspout leg 70C extending from, connected to and/orintegrally formed with a second end of the header 70A, and the canopy 82comprises a canopy main panel 82A that is mountable to the frontdownspout-strut header 70A and the rear strut(s) 78. The canopy mainpanel 82A is mountable to the header 70A of the front canopydownspout-strut 70 using any suitable connection method, manner, means,device, system or mechanism (e.g., clamps, nut and bolts, screws, etc.)

As with the first and second downspout legs 70B and 70C, the frontdownspout-strut header 70A is also hollow. The front downspout-strutheader 70A comprises at least one water ingress opening 86 formed in acanopy connection face 72 of the header 70A. The water ingressopening(s) 86 is/are open to and fluidly connected with an internallumen 90 of the front canopy downspout-strut 70. More particularly, theinternal lumen 90 extends through the entire front downspout-strut 70(e.g., extends through the entire length of the header 70A and theentire length of the first and second downspout legs 70B and 70C) suchthat the water ingress opening(s) 86 is/are fluidly connected with opendistal ends 94 and 98 of the first and second downspout legs 70B and70C, respectively. The canopy main panel 82A is mounted to the frontcanopy downspout strut 70 and the rear canopy strut(s) 78 such that,when the vehicle 10 is disposed on substantially level ground, thecanopy main panel 82A is angled forward such that the rear portion ofthe canopy main panel 82A is elevated with regard to, or disposed higherthan, the front portion of the canopy main panel 82A and water will flow(via gravitational forces) from the rear portion to the front portion ofthe canopy main panel 82A. Therefore, when the vehicle 10 is disposedsuch that at least a portion of the rear portion of the canopy mainpanel 82A is elevated with regard to, or disposed higher than, the frontportion, water, rain or other liquid that falls on, lands on or isotherwise disposed on the canopy main panel 82A will shed or flow into afirst and/or a second main longitudinal water channel 102 and/or 106,then flow forward within the first and/or second main longitudinal waterchannels 102 and/or 106 into the forward lateral water channel 110.

Subsequently, water flowing within the forward lateral water channel 110will enter the front canopy downspout-strut internal lumen 90 via thewater ingress opening(s) 86 and then flow through internal lumen 90extending through the header top side 70 and the first and seconddownspout legs 70B and 70C and exit or discharge from the internal lumen90 via the open distal ends 94 and 98 of the first and second downspoutlegs 70B and 70C. More specifically, the first downspout leg 70B extendsfrom the first end of the header 70A and is mountable to the front cowl74 and/or the chassis 14 and/or other forward structure of the vehicle10 such that the distal end 94 directed away from the passengercompartment 26, thereby directing the water/rain/fluid away from anypassenger sitting in the main seating structure 38. Similarly, thesecond downspout leg 70C extends from the second end of the header 70Aand is mountable to the front cowl 74 and/or the chassis 14 and/or otherforward structure of the vehicle 10 such that the distal end 98 isdirected away from the passenger compartment 26, thereby directing thewater/rain/fluid away from any passenger sitting in the main seatingstructure 38.

Moreover, the water ingress opening(s) 86 are disposed within anintermediate portion header 70A. As used herein, an intermediate portionof the header 70A will be understood to mean that the water ingressopening(s) 86 are formed in any portion of the header 70A that is inwardfrom the corners of the front canopy downspout-strut 70 where the firstand second downspout legs 70B and 70C join or merge into the header 70A,and toward a center line A of the header 70A. That is, the water ingressopening(s) 86 are not disposed above or in alignment with the portion ofthe internal lumen 90 that extends through the first and seconddownspout legs 70B and 70C. Rather, the water ingress opening(s) 86 opendirectly into the portion of the internal lumen 90 that is within theintermediate portion of the header 70A inward from the corners of theheader 70A and toward the center line A. Hence, water or liquid enteringthe internal lumen 90 via the water ingress opening(s) 86 will not flowdirectly into the portion of the internal lumen 90 within the first andsecond downspout legs 70B and 70B, but rather will flow through thewater ingress opening(s) 86 into the portion of the internal lumen 90within the header 70A, then flow along the portion of the internal lumen90 within the header 70A toward the corners of the front canopydownspout-strut 70, then flow into the portion of the internal lumen 90within the first and second downspout legs 70B and 70B.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 , in various embodiments, thecanopy main panel 82A comprises the first main longitudinal waterchannel 102 recessed within and extending along a first longitudinaledge portion 104 of the canopy main panel 82A, and the second mainlongitudinal water channel 106 recessed within and extending along asecond longitudinal edge portion 108 of the canopy main panel 82A.Additionally, an exterior wall of the first main longitudinal waterchannel 102 (i.e., a wall of the first main longitudinal water channel102 that is furthest away from a centerline C) is formed by or definedby a first sidewall 116 of the canopy main panel 82A, and an exteriorwall of the second main longitudinal water channel 106 (i.e., a wall ofthe second main longitudinal water channel 102 that is furthest awayfrom a centerline C) is formed by or defined by a second sidewall 120 ofthe canopy main panel 82A. In such embodiments, the canopy main panel82A further comprises a forward lateral water channel 110 recessedwithin and extending along a forward lateral edge portion 112 of thecanopy main panel 82A and integrally and fluidly connected to a forwardend 102A of the first main longitudinal water channel 102 and a forwardend 106A of the second main longitudinal water channel 106. In variousembodiments, the canopy main panel 82A additionally includes at leastone water egress orifice 114 formed in and extending through a bottom ofan intermediate portion of the forward lateral water channel 110. Asused herein, an intermediate portion of the forward lateral waterchannel 110 will be understood to mean that the water egress orifice(s)114 are formed in and extend through the bottom of any portion of theforward lateral water channel 110 that is inward toward a centerline Cof the canopy main panel 82A from the corners of the canopy main panel82A where the first and second main longitudinal water channels 102 and106 join or merge into the forward lateral water channel 110. That is,when the canopy main panel 82A is mounted to the front canopydownspout-strut 70 the water egress orifice(s) 114 are aligned with thewater ingress openings 86 and not aligned with any portion of theinternal lumen 90 within either the first or second downspout legs 70Band 70C of front canopy downspout-strut 70.

In various embodiments, the canopy main panel 82A further comprises aspout or funnel 118 integrally formed with and disposed around aperimeter of each respective egress orifice 114 and extending from anunderside of the canopy main panel 82A. Each spout 118 is structured andoperable to extend into a respective one of the water ingress opening(s)86 in the header 70A of the forward canopy downspout-strut 70 when thecanopy main panel 82A is mounted to the forward canopy downspout-strut70. Accordingly, water flowing through the forward lateral water channel110 will flow into and through the water egress orifice(s) 114 of thecanopy main panel 82A, then into and through the water ingressopening(s) 86 and into the portion of the internal lumen 90 within theforward canopy downspout-strut header 70A. The water will then flowthrough the portion of the internal lumen 90 within the forward canopydownspout-strut header 70A and into the portions of the internal lumen90 within first and second downspout legs 70B and 70C, whereafter thewater will flow through the portions of the internal lumen 90 within thefirst and second downspout legs 70B and 70C and be discharged from thedistal ends 94 and 98 of the first and second downspout legs 70B and70C. As described above, the distal ends 94 and 98 of the first andsecond downspout legs 70B and 70C are mounted to the vehicle 10 suchthat the distal ends 94 and 98, and the internal lumen 90 therewithinare directed away from the passenger compartment 26. Therefore, thewater or liquid flowing through the main canopy panel first and secondmain longitudinal channels and forward lateral channel 102, 106 and 110and into internal lumen 90, via the water egress orifice(s) 114 andwater ingress opening(s) 86, will flow through the internal lumen 90 andbe discharged from the distal ends 94 and 98 of the first and seconddownspout legs 70B and 70C and directed away from any passenger(s)sitting in the main seating structure 38.

As described above, although the present disclosure is described withregard to a generic lightweight vehicle, it should be understood thatthe canopy system 62 disclosed herein can have application to all typesof lightweight vehicles that are not designated for use on roadways,e.g., golf cars, maintenance vehicles, cargo vehicles, shuttle vehicles,worksite vehicles, etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 6 , in various embodiments, the mainpanel includes a rearward lateral water channel 122 recessed within andextending laterally along a rearward end portion of the canopy mainpanel 82A. The rearward lateral water channel 122 is integrally andfluidly connected to a rearward end portion 102B of the first mainlongitudinal water channel 102 and a rearward end portion 106B of thesecond main longitudinal water channel 106. The rearward lateral waterchannel 122 is structured and operable to direct water into the endportions 1028 and 1068 of the first and second main longitudinal waterchannels 102 and 106. In various embodiments, the rearward end portions102B and 106B of the first and second main longitudinal water channels102 and 106 are open along a rearward end or edge 126 of the canopy mainpanel 82A (i.e., not closed or blocked, do not include a rearward wall)such that water can exit the first and second main longitudinal waterchannels 102 and 106 via the open end portions 1028 and 1068 if thevehicle 10 is oriented such that the forward lateral edge portion 112 ofthe canopy main panel 82A is positioned at a higher elevation than therear edge 126 of the canopy main panel 82A (e.g., when the vehicle ismoving up or positioned on a hill or incline). Accordingly, in suchuphill orientations, water, rain or other liquid that enters therearward lateral water channel 122 will flow through the rearwardlateral water channel 122 and into the open end portions 1028 and 1068of the first and second main longitudinal water channels 102 and 106,whereafter the water/rain/liquid will be discharged from the canopy mainpanel 82A away from the passenger compartment 26 (and passengerstherewithin), via the first and second main longitudinal water channelopen end portions 102B and 106B.

In various embodiments, the canopy main panel 82A further comprises arecessed extension connection section 130 that extends rearward from therearward lateral water channel 122 to the rearward edge or end of thecanopy main panel 82A. The recessed extension connection section 130 hasa top surface 130A extending rearward from the rearward lateral waterchannel 122 that is recessed relative to a top surface 82AA of thecanopy main panel 82A extending forward from the rearward lateral waterchannel 122 (e.g., lower than the top surface 82AA of the canopy mainpanel 82A extending forward from the rearward lateral water channel122). As described below, the recessed extension connection section 130is structured and operable to allow a canopy extension panel 82B (FIG. 7) to be connected to the canopy main panel 82A such that a top surface82BA of the canopy extension panel 82B is substantially coplanar withthe top surface 82AA of the canopy main panel 82A along the length ofthe of the rearward lateral water channel 122.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 , as described above, invarious embodiments the water channel and downspout canopy system 62 canadditionally include a canopy extension panel 82B that is connectable tothe canopy main panel 82A via the recessed connection section 130. Thecanopy extension panel 82B is connectable to the canopy main panel 82Asuch that the rearward lateral water channel 122 is disposed between thecanopy extension panel 82B and the canopy main panel 82A. The canopyextension panel 82B extends over and protects the rear portion of thevehicle 10 from rain, water and sun. Moreover, as described below, thecanopy extension panel 82 channels or directs water or rain or otherliquid away from the rear portion of the vehicle 10, for example awayfrom passengers seated in the auxiliary seating structure 60, or golfclubs and bags stored in bag well 66, or items stored on a rear cargodeck.

As described above, the canopy extension panel 82B connects to canopymain panel 82A via the recessed extension connection section 130 suchthat the top surface 82BA of the canopy extension panel 82B issubstantially coplanar with the top surface 82AA of the canopy mainpanel 82A along the length of the of the rearward lateral water channel122. That is, the canopy extension panel top surface 82BA hassubstantially the same contour and lateral cross-sectional profile asthe canopy main panel top surface 82AA. Therefore, any longitudinal lineextending across the canopy main panel top surface 82AA parallel withthe center line C will be substantially colinear with a respectivelongitudinal line extending across the canopy extension panel topsurface 82BA. Moreover, when the canopy extension panel 82B is mountedto the canopy main channel 82A, a front wall of the rearward lateralwater channel 122, defined by canopy main panel 82A, and a rear wall ofthe rearward lateral water channel 122, defined in part by canopy mainpanel 82A and in part by the canopy extension panel 82B, will havesubstantially the same height at any point along the length of therearward lateral water channel 122. That is, the rearward lateral waterchannel 122 will have substantially the same depth relative to the topsurfaces 82AA and 82BA of the canopy main and extension panels 82A and82B at any given point along the length of the rearward lateral waterchannel.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 8 and 9 , the canopy extension panel 82Bcomprises a first extension longitudinal water channel 142 that extendsalong a first longitudinal edge portion 146 of the canopy extensionpanel 82B and a second extension longitudinal water channel 144 thatextends along a second longitudinal edge portion 152 of the canopyextension panel 82B. When the canopy extension panel 82B is connected tothe canopy main panel 82A, the first extension longitudinal waterchannel 142 aligns with and is fluidly connected to the first mainlongitudinal water channel 102. Similarly, when the canopy extensionpanel 82B is connected to the canopy main panel 82A, the secondextension longitudinal water channel 144 aligns with and is fluidlyconnected to the second main longitudinal water channel 106. The firstand second extension longitudinal water channels 142 and 144 eachcomprise a termination end 142A and 144A, respectively, that are abuttedby a raised tail portion 148 formed along a rearward lateral edgeportion of the canopy extension panel 82B. The first and secondextension longitudinal water channels 142 and 144 are structured andoperable to direct water, rain or other liquid that may fall on thecanopy extension panel 82B into the first and second main longitudinalwater channels 102 and 106 of the canopy main panel 82A, which will inturn direct the water, rain or other liquid into the internal lumen 90of the front canopy downspout-struct 70 as described above.

The first extension longitudinal water channel 142 includes an exteriorsidewall 150 and an interior sidewall 154 that extend along the lengthof and define the first extension longitudinal water channel 142. Invarious instances, the first extension longitudinal water channelexterior sidewall 150 is structured or formed such that a distal endportion 150A has a shorter or lower height from the bottom of the firstextension longitudinal water channel 142 than a proximal end 150Bportion. Therefore, in instances where the vehicle 10 is oriented suchthat the forward lateral edge portion 112 of the canopy 82 is positionedat a higher elevation than a rear edge 158 of the canopy 82 and/or ofthe canopy extension panel 82B (e.g., when the vehicle is moving up orpositioned on a hill or incline), the first extension longitudinal waterchannel 142 is structured and operable to direct water to exit thechannel 142 at the distal end 150A of the exterior sidewall 150. Hence,water, rain or other liquid can exit the first extension longitudinalwater channel 142 via the exterior wall sidewall distal end portion150A. Accordingly, in such uphill orientations, water, rain or otherliquid that enters the first main longitudinal water channel 102 and/orthe first extension longitudinal water channel 142 will flow through thefirst extension longitudinal water channel 142 to the termination end142A, whereafter the water/rain/liquid will be discharged from thecanopy extension panel 82B away from the passenger compartment 26 (andpassengers therewithin), via the lower exterior sidewall distal endportion 150A. Additionally, the first extension longitudinal waterchannel 142 comprises an end wall 162 provided by and/or defined by theraised tail portion 148 of the canopy extension panel 82B. The end wall162 has a taller or higher height from the bottom of the first extensionlongitudinal water channel 142 than the channel exterior sidewall distalend 150A, thereby forcing water within the first extension longitudinalchannel 142 to exit and be discharged from the first extensionlongitudinal channel 142 via the lower exterior sidewall distal endportion 150A.

The second extension longitudinal water channel 144 includes an exteriorsidewall 166 and an interior sidewall 178 that extend along the lengthof and define the second extension longitudinal water channel 144. Invarious instances, the second extension longitudinal water channelexterior sidewall 166 is structured or formed such that a distal endportion 166A has a shorter or lower height from the bottom of the secondextension longitudinal water channel 144 than a proximal end 166Bportion. Therefore, in instances where the vehicle 10 is oriented suchthat the forward lateral edge portion 112 of the canopy 82 is positionedat a higher elevation than the rear edge 158 of the canopy 82 and/or ofthe canopy extension panel 82B (e.g., when the vehicle is moving up orpositioned on a hill or incline), the second extension longitudinalwater channel 144 is structured and operable to direct water to exit thechannel 144 at the distal end 166A of the exterior sidewall 166. Hence,water, rain or other liquid can exit the first extension longitudinalwater channel 142 via the exterior wall sidewall distal end portion150A. Accordingly, in such uphill orientations, water, rain or otherliquid that enters the second main longitudinal water channel 106 and/orthe second extension longitudinal water channel 144 will flow throughthe second extension longitudinal channel 144 to the termination end144A, whereafter the water/rain/liquid will be discharged from thecanopy extension panel 82B away from the passenger compartment 26 (andpassengers therewithin), via the lower exterior sidewall distal endportion 166A. Additionally, the second extension longitudinal waterchannel 144 comprises an end wall 182 provided by and/or defined by theraised tail portion 148 of the canopy extension panel 82B. The end wall182 has a taller or higher height from the bottom of the secondextension longitudinal water channel 144 than the channel exteriorsidewall distal end 166A, thereby forcing water within the secondextension longitudinal channel 144 to exit and be discharged from thesecond extension longitudinal channel 144 via the lower exteriorsidewall distal end portion 166A.

As exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 10 , in various embodiments,the canopy main panel 82A includes a plurality of apertures, holes orboss receptacles 134 that extend into and/or through the recessedextension connection section 130. Additionally, the canopy extensionpanel 82B includes a plurality of alignment and connection bosses 138that extend from an underside and along a leading edge portion of thecanopy extension panel 82B. The boss receptacles 134 and bosses 138 arelocated in the respective canopy main and extension panels 82A and 82Bsuch that when the when the bosses 138 are inserted into the bossreceptacles 134 to connect the canopy extension panel 82B to the canopymain panel 82A, the first and second main longitudinal water channels102 and 106 respectively align with the first and second extensionlongitudinal water channels 142 and 144, and the top surface 82BA of thecanopy extension panel 82B is substantially coplanar with the topsurface 82AA of the canopy main panel 82A, as described above. Bolts,screws or other fixation devices can be inserted into and through bosses138 and/or the boss receptacles 134 to fixedly connect the extensionpanel 82B to the main panel 82A. Additionally, in various embodiments,the canopy system 62 can include brackets or braces 186 that areconnectable to the underside of the canopy main panel 82A and theunderside of the canopy extension panel 82B, using any suitableconnection device, apparatus, means or method (e.g., bolts, screws orother fixation device) to support the canopy extension panel 82B suchthat the canopy extension panel 82B is cantilevered from the canopy mainpanel 82A.

As exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 4, 7 and 10 , in variousembodiments, the canopy system 62 can further include one or moreretractable handle assembly 190 for use by passengers to assist inentering and/or exiting the vehicle passenger compartment 26. Theretractable handle assembly 190 generally comprises at least one handleretention structure 194 integrally formed with or connected to theunderside of the canopy main panel 82A, and a handle 198 pivotally, andin various instances retractably, disposed and retained within the atleast one handle retention structure 194. The handle 198 is pivotalbetween an Open position and a Closed position (both shown in FIG. 4 ).In the Open position, the handle 198 extends downward toward thefloorboard 34 such that it is accessible to be grasped by a vehiclepassenger to assist in entering and/or exiting the vehicle passengercompartment 26. When in the Closed position, the handle 198 is folded upto be substantially parallel with the underside of the canopy main panel82A such that it does not interfere with or impede with a passengerentering or exiting the passenger cabin 26 without use of the handle198, or leaning into the passenger cabin 26 while standing on the groundoutside the passenger cabin 26. Moreover, in various embodiments, theretractable handle assembly 190 can include a biasing device 202 (e.g.,a spring or other suitable biasing device) that is structured andoperable to bias the handle to the Closed position such that when thehandle 198 is not being used (e.g., no grasped by a passenger) thehandle 198 will automatically retract to the Closed position.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 12A, in various embodimentsthe water channel and downspout canopy system 62 can further include avehicle enclosure assembly 206. The enclosure assembly 206 generallycomprises a first enclosure mounting rail 206A, a second enclosuremounting rail 206B, a rear enclosure mounting rail 206C and an enclosurecurtain 206D. The enclosure assembly 206 is structured and operable toenclose and protect the passenger compartment 26, the auxiliary seatingstructure 60, the back deck, and/or the golf bag well 66 fromenvironmental elements such as rain, wind, snow, dirt, dust, cold, etc.In such embodiments, the canopy 82 comprises a plurality of enclosurerail fasteners 210 connected to or integrally formed with the canopy 82and disposed within the first and second canopy main and extensionlongitudinal water channels 102, 106, 142 and 144 and along a rearwardedge of the canopy tail portion 148. The enclosure rail fasteners 210can comprise any fastener suitable for fixedly mounting the first,second and rear enclosure mounting rails 206A, 206B and 206C to thecanopy first and second canopy main and extension longitudinal waterchannels 102, 106, 142 and 144 and the canopy tail portion 148 (e.g.,snaps, grommets, screw or bolt bosses, screws, bolt or rivet orifices,etc.). The first and second enclosure mounting rails 206A and 206B havea lateral cross-sectional profile, shape or form that is substantiallythe same as the lateral cross-sectional shape or profile of the firstand second canopy main and, in various instances, extension longitudinalwater channels 102, 106, 142 and 144 and the first and second sidewallsof the main canopy and, in various instances, the extension panelsidewalls 116, 120 124 and 128, such that the first and second enclosuremounting rails 206A and 206B will form a liner disposed within the firstand second canopy main and, in various instances, the extensionlongitudinal water channels 102, 106, 142 and 144 and over the maincanopy and, in various instances, the extension panel sidewalls 116, 120124 and 128, whereby the first and second enclosure mounting rails 206Aand 206B will provide the water channels in which the water, rain orother liquid will flow.

More specifically, the first and second enclosure mounting rails 206Aand 206B have a lateral cross-sectional profile, shape or form that hasa bottom and channel walls and a sidewall that have substantially thesame cross-sectional profile, form or shape as the bottom, channelswalls and sidewall of the first and second canopy main and, in variousinstances, extension longitudinal water channels 102, 106, 142 and 144and the first and second sidewalls of the main canopy and, in variousinstances, the extension panel sidewalls 116, 120 124 and 128, such thatthe first and second enclosure mounting rails 206A and 206B will form aliner disposed within the first and second canopy main and extensionlongitudinal water channels 102, 106, 142 and 144 and over the sidewalls116, 120, 124 and 128, whereby the first and second enclosure mountingrails 206A and 206B will provide the water channels in which the water,rain or other liquid will flow. It should be understood that althoughFIG. 12A exemplarily illustrates the lateral cross-section of the secondmain and, in various instances, the extension longitudinal waterchannels 106 and 144, FIG. 12A is equally applicable and illustrating ofthe lateral cross-section of the first main and, in various instances,the extension longitudinal water channels 102 and 142, as one skilled inthe art would readily understand such is simply a mirror image of whatis shown in FIG. 12A.

In various embodiments, the enclosure curtain 206D can be fixedlyconnected to the first, second and rear enclosure mounting rails 206A,206B and 206C. In such embodiments, the enclosure assembly 206 can bemounted to the canopy 82 by: 1) connecting the first enclosure mountingrail 206A to the canopy 82 within the first canopy main and extensionlongitudinal water channels 102 and 142 such that the first enclosuremounting rail 206A is supported by the main panel first sidewall 116 anda first sidewall 124 of the extension panel 82B; 2) connecting thesecond enclosure mounting rail 206B to the canopy 82 within the secondcanopy main and extension longitudinal water channels 106 and 144 suchthat the second enclosure mounting rail 206B is supported by the mainpanel second sidewall 120 and a second sidewall 128 of the extensionpanel 82B; and 3) connecting the rear enclosure mounting rail 206C tothe tail portion 148 of canopy 82. Once the first, second and rearenclosure mounting rails 206A, 206B and 206C are connected to the canopy82, the enclosure curtain 206D will extend downward from the canopy 82and be draped around the sides and rear perimeter of the vehicle 10. Invarious instances of such embodiments, the enclosure assembly canfurther include front strut rails 214 to which front edges of thecurtain 206D are fixedly or removably connected. The front strut rails214 are connectable (via any suitable fastening means, method or device,e.g., snaps, screws or bolts, rivets, etc.) to the first and seconddownspout legs 70B and 70C of the front canopy downspout-strut 70,thereby securing the front edges of the curtain 206D to the front canopydownspout-strut 70.

Alternatively, in various other embodiments, the enclosure curtain 206Dcan be removably connectable to the first, second and rear enclosuremounting rails 206A, 206B and 206C. In such embodiments, the enclosureassembly 206 can be mounted to the canopy 82 by: 1) connecting the firstenclosure mounting rail 206A to the canopy 82 within the first canopymain and extension longitudinal water channels 102 and 142 such that thefirst enclosure mounting rail 206A is supported by the main panel firstsidewall 116 and the first sidewall 124 of the extension panel 82B; 2)connecting the second enclosure mounting rail 206B to the canopy 82within the second canopy main and extension longitudinal water channels106 and 144 such that the second enclosure mounting rail 206B issupported by the main panel second sidewall 120 and a second sidewall128 of the extension panel 82B; 3) connecting the rear enclosuremounting rail 206C to the tail portion 148 of canopy 82; and 4)connecting the enclosure curtain 206D to the first, second and rearenclosure mounting rails 206A, 206B and 206C, whereby the enclosurecurtain 206D will extend downward from the canopy 82 and be drapedaround the sides and rear perimeter of the vehicle 10. The enclosurecurtain can be removably connectable to the first, second and rearenclosure mounting rails 206A, 206B and 206C using any suitableconnecting means, manner or device (e.g., snaps, clips, screws or bolts,rivets, interlocking fasteners or strips, interlocking hook and loopconnectors (e.g., Velcro®, etc.). In various instances of suchembodiments, the enclosure assembly can further include front strutrails 214 to which front edges of the curtain 206D are fixedly orremovably connected. The front strut rails 214 are connectable (via anysuitable fastening means, method or device, e.g., snaps, screws orbolts, rivets, etc.) to the first and second downspout legs 70B and 70Cof the front canopy downspout-strut 70, thereby securing the front edgesof the curtain 206D to the front canopy downspout-strut 70.

It is envisioned that the enclosure curtain 206D can include one or moreaccess panels, flaps, openings and/or doors that allow passengers toaccess, enter and/or exit the passenger compartment 26, the auxiliaryseating structure 60, the back deck, and/or the golf bag well 66. Invarious embodiments, the enclosure curtain 206D can have a single-piececonfiguration such that enclosure curtain 206D is a single unified unitthat is connected to, or is removably connectable to, the first, secondand rear enclosure mounting rails 206A, 206B and 206C and wraps aroundthe vehicle from first downspout leg 70B of the front canopydownspout-strut 70 to the second downspout leg 70C. Alternatively, invarious embodiments, the enclosure curtain 206D can have a multi-pieceunit configuration such that enclosure curtain 206D comprises aplurality separate independent sections or pieces that are eachseparately connected to or removable connectable to one or more of thefirst, second and rear enclosure mounting rails 206A, 206B and 206C. Insuch multi-piece embodiments, the separate independent sections orpieces can be connectable to each other via any suitable connectionmeans, manner or device (e.g., zippers, snaps, clips, interlocking hookand loop connectors, etc.) to provide an assembled multi-piece curtain206D that wraps around the vehicle from first downspout leg 70B of thefront canopy downspout-strut 70 to the second downspout leg 70C.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 1718 and 19, in various embodiments, the front canopy downspout-strut 70and/or the rear canopy strut(s) 78 can comprise a dovetailed shapedaccessory attachment channel 218 (sometime referred to herein as thedovetailed channel 218) that is structured and operable to provide ameans or manner for attaching accessories (e.g., mirrors, speakers,windshields and other types of accessories) to the respective frontcanopy downspout-strut 70 and/or the rear canopy strut(s) 78 utilizing achamfered side pinch nut 222, as described below. More particularly, atleast one of the front canopy downspout-strut header 70A, the firstdownspout leg 70B, the second downspout leg 70C and/or the rear canopystrut(s) 78 comprises the dovetailed channel 218. Generally, asdescribed further below, any desired vehicle accessory can be mounted orattached to the front canopy downspout-strut 70 and/or the rear canopystrut(s) 78 by inserting the pinch nut 222 into the dovetailed channel218, then turning or rotating the pinch nut 222 within the dovetailedchannel 218 such that the pinch nut 222 will bindingly engage with thedovetailed channel 218 (e.g., become pinched, bound, or lodged withinthe dovetailed channel 218). Thereafter, an accessory can be threadinglyconnected to the pinch nut (and hence the respective front canopydownspout-strut 70 and/or the rear canopy strut(s) 78) via threaded studof the accessory, or a bolt, or a threaded rod and secondary nut.

In various embodiments, the dovetailed channel 218 comprises a mouth 226and a base 230 having a width W that is greater than a width M of themouth 226, thereby defining a pair of opposing angled or beveled walls232 that extend between the mouth 226 and the base 230. Particularly,the walls 232 form an angle β with the base 230 that is less than 90°.The pinch nut 222 generally includes opposing first and second flatsides 234, opposing angled or beveled sides 238 having rounded corners,and a threaded bore 242. The first and second flat sides 238 aresubstantially straight along their entire length and form substantiallya 90° angle with a base 246 of the pinch nut 222. In various instances,the base 246 has a length Y, extending between angled sides 238, that issubstantially equal to the width W of the base 230 of the dovetailedchannel 218. Additionally, the base 246 has a width Z that issubstantially equal to or slightly less than the width M of the mouth226 of the dovetailed channel 218. The angled sides 238 include asubstantially flat straight portion 238A and a rounded corner portion238B. The flat portions 238A form an angle θ with the bottom 246 of thepinch nut 222. In various embodiments, the angle θ of the pinch nut flatportions 238A can be substantially equal to the angle β of thedovetailed channel walls 234 such that when the pinch nut 222 isdisposed within the dovetailed channel, and the flat portions 238A ofthe pinch nut 222 are aligned with (e.g., substantially parallel with)the dovetailed channel walls 234, the pinch nut 222 can be easily slidand moved along the length of and within the dovetailed channel 218.

The rounded corner portions 238B of the pinch nut angled sides 238 havea curved length C that extends from a junction 238C between the flatportion 238A and the rounded portion 238B to a junction 238D between therounded portion 238B and the respective flat side 234. As illustrated inFIG. 17 , the angle of the rounded portions 238B relative to the base246 at the junction 238C is θ (i.e., the same as the angle of the flatportion 238A). Notably, the angle of the rounded portions 238Bprogressively decreases (i.e., progressive gets smaller or more acute)across the curved length C from the junction 238C to the junction 238Dsuch that the angle of the rounded portions 238B relative to the base246 at the junction 238D is α. As described above, the angle α of therounded portions 238B at the junction 238D is smaller than the angle θof the rounded portions 238B at the junction 238C. Therefore, the lengthD of the junction 238C is shorter than the length E of the junction238D. Moreover, the angle α of the rounded portions 238B at the junction238D is smaller than the angle β formed between the dovetailed channelwalls 232 and base 230, and the length D of the junction 238C is shorterthan the length F of the dovetailed channel walls 232.

Due to the rounded corner portions 238B and the angle α of the roundedportions 238B at the junction 238D being smaller (or more acute) thanthe angle β formed between the dovetailed channel walls 232 and base230, when the pinch nut 222 is inserted into the dovetailed channel 218,as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 15 , the pinch nut 222 can be rotatedin the direction shown in FIG. 15 . Moreover, as the pinch nut 222 isrotated, the rounded portions 238B of the angled sides 238 of the pinchnut 222 will slide under the beveled sidewalls 232 of the dovetailedchannel 218. As the pinch nut 222 is further rotated, the pinch nut 222rounded corner portion 238B will be advanced between the dovetailedchannel beveled sidewalls 232 and base 230 such that the angle of acontact area of the rounded corner portion 238B that is in contact withthe dovetailed channel beveled sidewalls 232 will continuously increaseuntil contact area angle of the rounded corner portion 238B issubstantially equal to the angle β of the dovetailed channel walls 234,thereby causing the pinch nut 222 to become pinched, lodged or boundbetween dovetailed channel sidewalls 232 and base 230. Therefore, butturning or rotating the pinch nut 222 within the dovetailed channel 218,the pinch nut 222 will become bindingly engaged and retained, or locked,within dovetailed channel 218.

The pinch nut 222 can be turn or rotated within the dovetailed channel218 using any suitable means, manner or device. For example, in variousembodiments the pinch nut 222 can further include an annular slottedboss 250 extending from a top face of the pinch nut 222. The annularslotted boss 250 generally includes a cylindrical body 250A having aturning implement slot 250B formed therein. The turning implement slot250B is structured and operable to receive any turning implement, suchas a screwdriver, a coin, a key, etc., suitable to for inserting intothe turning implement slot 250B and causing the pinch nut 222 to turn orrotate within the dovetailed channel 218 by turning the turning theturning implement. It is envisioned that in various embodiments, thepinch nut 222 can be toollessly locked or retained in place (asdescribed above) by utilizing the annular slotted boss 250 tohand-rotate the pinch nut 222 within the dovetailed channel 218 to lockor retain the pinch nut 222 in the desired location within thedovetailed channel 218. In such instances, once the pinch nut 222 isinserted into the dovetail channel 218 at the desired location of thefront canopy down-spout strut 70 and/or the rear canopy strut(s) 78, theannular slotted boss 250 can be grasped by hand and rotated to bindinglyengage the pinch nut 222 within the dovetailed channel 218 as describedabove.

The process of bindingly engaging the pinch nut 222 within thedovetailed channel 218, and thereby retaining, or locking, the pinch nut222 at a desired location within the dovetailed channel 218 has beendescribed above. It should be readily understood the process of removingthe pinch nut 222 from the dovetailed channel 218, or moving the pinchnut 222 within the dovetailed channel simply the reverse of process tobindingly engage the pinch nut 222 within the dovetailed channel 218.That is, to remove or move the pinch nut 222 from or within thedovetailed channel 218, the pinch nut 222 can be rotated in a directionopposite that shown in FIG. 15 to disengage the corner portions 238B ofthe angled sides 238 from the beveled walls 232 of the dovetailedchannel 218, whereafter the pinch nut 222 can be removed from thedovetailed channel 218 and/or moved to and engaged at a differentlocation within the dovetailed channel 218.

As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 18 , once the pinch nut 222 isbindingly engaged and retained/locked at a desired location within thedovetailed channel 218 of any portion of the front canopydownspout-strut 70 and/or the rear canopy strut(s) 78, a vehicleaccessory 254 (e.g., a mirrors, a speaker, a windshield and other typeof accessories) can be connected to the front canopy downspout-strut 70and/or the rear canopy strut(s) 78 utilizing the threaded bore 242. Forexample, a threaded rod can be threadingly engaged within the threadedbore 242, whereafter the accessory 254 can be disposed on the threadedrod (via a hole or slot in the accessory 254) and retained on thethreaded rod by threading a nut (e.g., hex-sided nut, a wing-nut or athumb nut) onto the threaded rod and tightening or advancing the nutsuch that the accessory 254 is bound between the nut and the top of thepinch nut annular slotted boss 252 and/or the respective front canopydownspout-strut 70 or the rear canopy strut(s) 78. Alternatively, theaccessory 254 can include a threaded stud that can treaded into thepinch nut threaded bore 242. In yet other embodiments, it is envisionedthat the accessory 254 can include a pinch nut 222 integrally formed orconnected therewith, such that accessory can be mounted to the frontcanopy downspout-strut 70 and/or the rear canopy strut(s) 78 byinserting the integrally formed/connected pinch nut 222 into therespective dovetailed channel 218 and using the accessory 254 as aturning implement to turn the pinch nut 222 within the dovetailedchannel 218, thereby bindingly engaging the pinch nut 222 within thedovetailed channel 218.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 13, 14 and 19 , in various embodiments,the dovetail channel 218 can further include an off-center wire duct 258recessed within the base 230 that is structured and operable to havewires (e.g., vehicle or accessory wires) disposed therein. Theoff-center wire duct 258 recessed within the base 230 such that alongitudinal center line WDCL of the wire duct 258 is offset andnon-coaxial with a longitudinal center line BCL of the base 230.Therefore, the off-center wire duct 258 defines a first base section230A and a second base section 230B, wherein the first base section 230has a width P that is greater than a width Q of the second base section230B. Moreover, since the first base section 230A has a width P that isgreater than the width Q of the second base section 230B, the first basesecond 230A provides a bolt stop that is structured and operable toprevent a rod, bolt or stud threaded into a pinch nut 222 bindinglylodged within the dovetailed channel 218 from extending into the wireduct 258 and damaging any wires disposed therein.

More specifically, when a pinch nut 222 is bindingly lodged within thedovetailed channel 218 and a threaded rod, bolt or stud is threaded intothe threaded bore 242 of the pinch nut 222 to attach an accessory to therespective front canopy downspout-strut 70 and/or the rear canopystrut(s) 78, the threaded rod, bolt or stud will contact the base firstsection 230A and be prevented from entering, or protruding into, thewire duct 258. Therefore, the base first section 230A provides a boltstop (e.g., a rod, bolt or stud stop) that prevents the rod, bolt orstud from damaging wires disposed within the wire duct. Furthermore,once the rod, bolt or stud contacts the base first section 230A, if therod, bolt or stud is turned further, the pinch nut will be drawn up therod, bolt or stud such that the angle side 238 (e.g., the flat portion238A and/or the rounded portion 238B) will be further forced against andengaged with beveled walls 232 of the dovetailed channel, therebyfurther securing the pinch nut 222 and associated accessory 254 at thedesired location on the respective front canopy downspout-strut 70and/or the rear canopy strut(s) 78.

It is envisioned that the accessory attachment system described herein,including the respective front canopy downspout-strut 70 and the rearcanopy strut(s) 78 comprising the dovetail channel 232 (as describedabove) and the pinch nut 222 (as described above) will provide anattachment system that will reduce the time required to installaccessories, reduce the number of fasteners required, reduce corrosion,and help protect wires.

The description herein is merely exemplary in nature and, thus,variations that do not depart from the gist of that which is describedare intended to be within the scope of the teachings. Moreover, althoughthe foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exampleembodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elementsand/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinationsof elements and/or functions can be provided by alternative embodimentswithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. Such variations andalternative combinations of elements and/or functions are not to beregarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the teachings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf car canopy extension panel that isconnectable to a canopy main panel, said extension panel comprising: afirst extension longitudinal water channel extending along a firstlongitudinal edge portion of the canopy extension panel and fluidlyconnectable to a first main longitudinal water channel of the mainpanel, the first extension longitudinal water channel comprising atermination end structured and operable to direct water to exit thefirst extension longitudinal water channel at an end of a sidewall ofthe first extension longitudinal water channel; and a second extensionlongitudinal water channel extending along a second longitudinal edgeportion of the canopy extension panel and fluidly connectable to asecond main longitudinal water channel of the main panel, the secondextension longitudinal water channel comprising a termination endstructured and operable to direct water to exit the second extensionlongitudinal water channel at an end of a sidewall of the secondextension longitudinal water channel.
 2. The golf car canopy extensionpanel of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of alignment andconnection bosses that extend from an underside along a leading edgeportion of the canopy extension panel, the alignment and connectionbosses structured and operable to be mateable with a plurality of bossreceptacles of the main panel such that when the alignment andconnection bosses are inserted into the main panel boss receptacles toconnect the extension panel to the main panel, the first extensionlongitudinal water channel aligns with a first main panel longitudinalwater channel and the second extension longitudinal water channel alignsa second main panel longitudinal water channel.
 3. The golf car canopyextension panel of claim 2, wherein the plurality of alignment andconnection bosses are further structured and operable to be mateablewith a plurality of boss receptacles of the main panel such that whenthe alignment and connection bosses are inserted into the main panelboss receptacles to connect the extension panel to the main panel, a topsurface of the canopy extension panel is substantially coplanar with atop surface of the canopy main panel.
 4. The golf car canopy extensionpanel of claim 2, wherein the plurality of alignment and connectionbosses are further structured and operable to be mateable with aplurality of boss receptacles of the main panel such that when thealignment and connection bosses are inserted into the main panel bossreceptacles to connect the extension panel to the main panel a rearwardlateral water channel is defined between the extension panel and themain panel.
 5. The golf car canopy extension panel of claim 2, whereinthe plurality of alignment and connection bosses are further structuredand operable to be mateable with a plurality of boss receptacles of themain panel such that when the alignment and connection bosses areinserted into the main panel boss receptacles to connect the extensionpanel to the main panel the extension panel is cantilevered from themain panel.
 6. A canopy system for a lightweight vehicle, said canopysystem comprising: a main panel mountable to a front canopy strut and atleast one rearward canopy strut of the vehicle, the main panelcomprising a first main longitudinal water channel extending along afirst longitudinal edge portion of the canopy main panel, and a secondmain longitudinal water channel extending along a second longitudinaledge portion of the canopy main panel; and an extension panelconnectable to the main panel, the extension panel comprising: a firstextension longitudinal water channel extending along a firstlongitudinal edge portion of the canopy extension panel and fluidlyconnectable to a first main longitudinal water channel of the main panelwhen the extension panel is connected to the main panel, the firstextension longitudinal water channel comprising a termination endstructured and operable to direct water to exit the first extensionlongitudinal water channel at an end of a sidewall of the firstextension longitudinal water channel; and a second extensionlongitudinal water channel extending along a second longitudinal edgeportion of the canopy extension panel and fluidly connectable to asecond main longitudinal water channel of the main panel when theextension panel is connected to the main panel, the second extensionlongitudinal water channel comprising a termination end structured andoperable to direct water to exit the second extension longitudinal waterchannel at an end of a sidewall of the second extension longitudinalwater channel.
 7. The canopy system of claim 6 further comprising aplurality of alignment and connection bosses that extend from anunderside along a leading edge portion of the canopy extension panel,the alignment and connection bosses structured and operable to bemateable with a plurality of boss receptacles of the main panel suchthat when the alignment and connection bosses are inserted into the mainpanel boss receptacles to connect the extension panel to the main panel,the first extension longitudinal water channel aligns with a first mainpanel longitudinal water channel and the second extension longitudinalwater channel aligns a second main panel longitudinal water channel. 8.The canopy system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of alignment andconnection bosses are further structured and operable to be mateablewith a plurality of boss receptacles of the main panel such that whenthe alignment and connection bosses are inserted into the main panelboss receptacles to connect the extension panel to the main panel, a topsurface of the canopy extension panel is substantially coplanar with atop surface of the canopy main panel.
 9. The canopy system of claim 7,wherein the plurality of alignment and connection bosses are furtherstructured and operable to be mateable with a plurality of bossreceptacles of the main panel such that when the alignment andconnection bosses are inserted into the main panel boss receptacles toconnect the extension panel to the main panel a rearward lateral waterchannel is defined between the extension panel and the main panel. 10.The canopy system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of alignment andconnection bosses are further structured and operable to be mateablewith a plurality of boss receptacles of the main panel such that whenthe alignment and connection bosses are inserted into the main panelboss receptacles to connect the extension panel to the main panel theextension panel is cantilevered from the main panel.
 11. A lightweightvehicle, said vehicle comprising: a chassis; a body mounted to thechassis; a passenger compartment supported by the chassis; a pluralityof canopy support struts mounted to the body; a canopy system mountableto canopy support struts above at least the passenger compartment, thecanopy system comprising: a main panel mountable to the canopy struts,the main panel comprising a first main longitudinal water channelextending along a first longitudinal edge portion of the canopy mainpanel, and a second main longitudinal water channel extending along asecond longitudinal edge portion of the canopy main panel; and anextension panel connectable to the main panel, the extension panelcomprising: a first extension longitudinal water channel extending alonga first longitudinal edge portion of the canopy extension panel andfluidly connectable to a first main longitudinal water channel of themain panel when the extension panel is connected to the main panel, thefirst extension longitudinal water channel comprising a termination endstructured and operable to direct water to exit the first extensionlongitudinal water channel at an end of a sidewall of the firstextension longitudinal water channel; and a second extensionlongitudinal water channel extending along a second longitudinal edgeportion of the canopy extension panel and fluidly connectable to asecond main longitudinal water channel of the main panel when theextension panel is connected to the main panel, the second extensionlongitudinal water channel comprising a termination end structured andoperable to direct water to exit the second extension longitudinal waterchannel at an end of a sidewall of the second extension longitudinalwater channel.
 12. The vehicle of claim 11 further comprising aplurality of alignment and connection bosses that extend from anunderside along a leading edge portion of the canopy extension panel,the alignment and connection bosses structured and operable to bemateable with a plurality of boss receptacles of the main panel suchthat when the alignment and connection bosses are inserted into the mainpanel boss receptacles to connect the extension panel to the main panel,the first extension longitudinal water channel aligns with a first mainpanel longitudinal water channel and the second extension longitudinalwater channel aligns a second main panel longitudinal water channel. 13.The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the plurality of alignment andconnection bosses are further structured and operable to be mateablewith a plurality of boss receptacles of the main panel such that whenthe alignment and connection bosses are inserted into the main panelboss receptacles to connect the extension panel to the main panel, a topsurface of the canopy extension panel is substantially coplanar with atop surface of the canopy main panel.
 14. The vehicle of claim 12,wherein the plurality of alignment and connection bosses are furtherstructured and operable to be mateable with a plurality of bossreceptacles of the main panel such that when the alignment andconnection bosses are inserted into the main panel boss receptacles toconnect the extension panel to the main panel a rearward lateral waterchannel is defined between the extension panel and the main panel. 15.The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the plurality of alignment andconnection bosses are further structured and operable to be mateablewith a plurality of boss receptacles of the main panel such that whenthe alignment and connection bosses are inserted into the main panelboss receptacles to connect the extension panel to the main panel theextension panel is cantilevered from the main panel.